Webb Simpson assumed he had already been selected as an assistant Presidents Cup captain before Davis Love III called him up.

For that, he can praise Tiger Woods.

Simpson claims that he went out to eat with his family last Tuesday at their preferred hot-dog restaurant, Trolley Stop, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Simpson had to admit that he was under pressure because his children bothered the restaurant owner by repeatedly opening the door. He also needed to place an order.

Simpson's phone began to ring, adding to the commotion.

At the Wyndham Championship on Tuesday, Simpson recalled, "I looked down, and it's Tiger." "I informed Tiger that I had to order my hot dogs and that I would call him back. Order my hot dogs, leave, and then phone him back. He mentioned that he thought my residence in Charlotte, specifically Quail Hollow [the site of this year's President Cup], would benefit the team.

It was pretty meaningful, but after the phone call, I was unsure whether it was formal or not. I'm not sure if he meant that he hopes I become his assistant or if he meant that I already am.

Simpson validated what Woods had said when he ran into Zach Johnson the following day in Detroit. Johnson was already one of Captain Love's subordinates. They laughed about how Woods ruined the surprise, and the next night Love gave Simpson his official introduction to the American squad (striker was named along with Simpson).

Accepting the position was an honor for Simpson. He explained that he had been considering this year's Quail Hollow matches for such a long time and that with just one top-10 since last year's Wyndham, his prospects of being selected as a participant for the 12-man squad were close to none.

It was difficult for Simpson to watch the Presidents Cup take place without participating in any way. "I didn't fear not being a part of it, but there was a part of me that was like, if I don't make the squad and Davis goes in a different direction, that's great," Simpson said. I was therefore quite relieved to get the opportunity to take part in it.

The 36-year-old Simpson, who has participated in three Ryder Cups and three Presidents Cups, shared a memory from his first Presidents Cup appearance with the United States team in 2011, when captain Jim Furyk gave him some advice: "You're going to remember your wins and your team events when you're done with your golf career."

The three Ryder Cups and the President Cup said Simpson, "is the most excellent memories I've had in the game thus far. Therefore, I'm thrilled to work with Davis, Zach, Strick, and Freddie [Couples]. … I've been around those guys long, so I know them well. I've played with the players that will be on the team for a long time, so I don't feel like I'm that much older than them, but I guess to some of them, like Scottie [Scheffler], I'm a lot older than.

scores from the Wyndham Championship's whole field

Simpson has 117 FedExCup points at the start of this week's regular-season finale in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since only the top 70 competitors advance to the BMW Championship, Simpson may have plenty of time to prepare for the next week's playoff-opening in Memphis.

Simpson might also stun everyone by winning a few games, making it to East Lake, and possibly pressuring Love to make a captain's decision.

Simpson remarked, "I'm anticipating that captain's call to determine who we ought to select. We'll see if it would be hilarious or weird if I nominated myself for a pick if I were even in the running.